Toy vehicle



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July 6, 1965 R. TRAVERS 3,192,664

TOY VEHICLE Filed June 2l, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ejl R. TRAVERS July 6, 1965 TOY VEHICLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 21, 1962 Rn'wouo Tnnvass nTToRNEls United States Patent O 3,192,664 TOY VEHICLE Raymond Travers, 24620 Hawthorne Drive, Euclid 17, Ohio Filed June 21, 1952, Ser. No. 204,248 3 Ciaims. (Cl. t- 211) This invention relates to a novel ltoy vehicle adapted to be propelled along in an undefined and unpredictable path which lends itself to incorporation with a variety of body styles and types and which will provide many hours of pleasure and entertainment to children.

Heretofore, toy vehicles intended generally for purpurposes of entertainment were constructed as multiple wheeled arrangements to be propelled along generally straight-line paths. However, it has been experienced that due to the propensity of young children to become quickly bored with their toys, Wheeled vehicles which were merely susceptible of being propelled along straightline paths were not entirely satisfactory in providing the type of amusement which would hold the interest of children for any appreciable length of time. In other cases, toy vehicles which could be propelled along other .than straight line paths, were conventionally provided with sudry turning arrangements, such as extensive trackways, mechanical turning devices or intricate electro-mechanical guidance systems to control the direction of the vehicle. However, the intricacy of such toy vehicles not only required relatively high initial costs, but required further substantial costs in the form of repair and replacement of the worn out parts. Consequently, toy vehicles which are not suiliciently durable and rugged prove entirely unsatisfactory in the hands of small children who seek a constant and uninterrupted amount of enjoyment from their toys.

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel wheeled toy vehicle, which may be propelled along in an undened and unpredictable path to provide many hours of entertainment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel two wheeled toy vehicle, which may be propelled along by motor means in an undened and unpredictable path.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel two wheeled vehicle which may resemble, in miniature, any commercial vehicle and which may be provided with simpliiied motor and ground engaging means to propel the toy vehicle in an undefined and unpredictable path.

A still further object of Vthe present invention is to provide a novel toy vehicle of the character referred to which is economical and suiciently ruggedly constructed to withstand the abnormally rough usage to which it may be subjected by children.

Further objects and advantages, and other new and useful features in the construction, arrangement and general combination lof the elements for providing a novel toy vehicle will be apparent to those skilled in the art, as the following description proceeds, with reference to the accompanying drawings, for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing the novel toy vehicle embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan View looking up at the undersurface of the novel toy vehicle of FlG. 1, showing the motor and ground engaging means embodying the present invention for propelling the toy vehicle along in an undened and unpredictable path;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic illustration showing the novel toy vehicle embodying the present invention, being pro- Patented July 6, 1965 pelled along in an undened and unpredictable path in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Generally, the present invention contemplates the provision of a novel two-wheeled toy vehicle which resembles, in miniature, any actual commercial vehicle. It is preferred that the toy vehicle be provided with motor means operatively connected to the wheels, such that a greater portion of the weight distributed over the wheels of the vehicle is disposed eccentrically relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The rear end portion of the toy vehicle may be provided with ground engaging means which assists in causing the vehicle to move in an undeiined and unpredictable path upon forward acceleration of the vehicle in response to actuation of said motor means. Such an arrangement provides a toy vehicle of simple and rugged construction that may be propelled by the youngest of children in an exciting and unpredictable path each time it is set in motion. Accordingly, the novel toy vehicle of the present invention stimulates the curiosity of children and provides a dependable source of entertainment for their continued enjoyment.

More specically, and with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates the body of the toy vehicle which may be comprised of metal, rubber or any suitable phenol condensation product, and which may be readily molded into intricate contours and body lines to simulate those of 4real automobiles. The body is preferably hollow to provide a lightweight and economical structure and is formed with a chassis or bottorn portion 3 which may be made integral with or separately detachable from the body of the vehicle. As best shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle may be provided with a front axle assembly shown generally at 4 comprising a pair of wheels 5, 6 iixed to the opposite ends of the axle 7. The chassis 3 may be formed With cut-out portions 8, such that the wheels 5, 6 may be mounted interiorly of the vehicle to protect young children against exposure to rough surfaces or sharpedges tha-t might be otherwise presented by the axle assembly.

To propel the toy vehicle in the novel and unpredictable linear motion in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the vehicle may be provided with a friction or inertia type motor which is mounted for driving engagement relative to the front axle assembly 4. As shown, the friction motor, illustrated generally at 9, may include a motor housing 10, detachably connected to the chassis 3 'of the vehicle intermediate the wheels 5, 6 and may be provided with oppositely disposed apertures 11 for journaling the axle 7 therein. A drive gear 12 may be xedly keyed to the axle 7 within the housing and mounted for meshing engagement with a lirst spur gear 13 which in turn is rotatably mounted on a stationary stub shaft 14 secured within the housing. An intermediate transfer gear 16, having a diameter corresponding to that of the drive gear 12, may be lixedly secured to the first spur gear 13, such that clockwise rotation of the drive gear 12 meshing with the spur gear 13 imparts a counterclockwise rotation to the intermediate transfer gear 16, as viewed looking at the undersurface of a toy vehicle in FiG. 2. The intermediate transfer gear 16 may in turn be mounted to mesh with a second spur gear 18, which is iixedly secured to a rotatable shaft 20 journaled at its ends within the housing. A fly wheel 22 may be xedly keyed to the rotatable shaft 20, such that counterclockwise rotation of the intermediate transfer gear 16 upon meshing with the second spur gear 18 imparts a clockwise rotation to the fly wheel. Accordingly, forward movement of the toy vehicle, as viewed in FIG. 2, causes the front wheels 5, 6 of the axle assembly and the drive gear 12 to rotate in a clockwise direction which in turn is transmitted through gears 16 and 18 to impart a clockwise rotation to the fly wheel 22 in the same direction relative to rotation Valtiaeea Vwheel to be transmitted back through the gearing arrangement to the front wheels to thereby linearly accelerate the vehicle in a forward or rearward direction, as desired. For example, by maintaining a 1:12 gear ratio between the driving gear 12 and the spur gear 1S, there may he imparted to the y a rotational velocity which is approximately 12 times that of the front wheels, and which is Y sufficient to linearly accelerate the vehicle in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Moreover, it'will be apparent that the rate of acceleration of the vehicle will vary in each case dependent upon such factors as the size of the vehicle, the initial rotational velocity imparted to the front wheels of the vehicle, the relative gear ratio of the motor, the frictional resistance of the system itself, along with the relative weight and dimensions of the ily wheel, for example.

When propelling the toy vehicle with a friction type motor, for example, it is preferred that the motor housing be disposed generally intermediate the .front wheels 5, 6 on thel longitudinal axes X of the vehicle with the fly wheel 22 of the motor 9 disposed olf-center or eccentrically relative to the longitudinal axis X, as shown in FIG. 2. Accordingly, the gravitational center of the motor 9 is disposed eccentrically relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, such that a greater portion of the weight of the motor is distributed over the left front kthat of the front left wheel, whereby the rear portion of the vehicle is swung-out in a clockwise direction under the inliuence of centrifugal force. Such an arrangement causes the toy vehicle to be propelled in an undefined and unpredictable path, as will hereinafter be more fully described.

In this regard, it is to be noted that other types of motor means, such as mechanical, electro-mechanical, electro-magnetic or the like which have their centers of gravity disposed eccentrically relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, may also be utilized to achieve results in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Similarly, in cases where it is desirable to locate motor such that its center of gravity is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, additional counterweights may be made integral with or detachably connected vto the body of the vehicle, such that a greater portion of the weight of the vehicle may be disposed eccentrically relative to the longitudinal axes of the vehicle. In either case, the weight distribution over the front axle assembly may be eccentrically disposed to either side of the longitudinal axis X to thereby propel the toy vehicle in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

To further facilitate propelling the toy vehicle in an undefined and unpredictable path in accordance with the principles of the present invention, and to protect the undersurface of the vehicle during such motion, it is preferred that the rear end portion of the vehicle be provided with ground engaging means adapted for sliding coaction relative to the surface upon which the vehicle may be used. For purposes of disclosure, and as shown at FIG. 2, the ground engaging means may take the form of a pair of axially extending ribs 24 spaced equidistant on either side of the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the ribs 24 may be formed Vhaving downwardly and rearwardly extending surfaces 39 ,come mencing generally adjacent the midportion of the vehicle,

and ground engaging surfaces 32 extending upwardly and rearwardly relative to the chassis 3 of the vehicle and which extend generally planar relative to the flat surface upon which the vehicle may be propelled. Moreover, it can be seen that the height of the ground engaging ribs becomes gradually reduced from front to rear, such that the longitudinal axis X of the vehicle extends at an angle or generally diagonally relative to the surface upon which the vehicle is to be propelled. Such inclination of the vehicle provides the toy with a streamlined underslung appearance and lowers the center of gravity of the rear end portion of the vehicle relative to that of the front portion to facilitate swinging-out of the rear end of the vehicle in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction upon forward acceleration of the vehicle, as aforementioned.

While for purposes of disclosure, the ground engaging means have been illustrated as a pair of axially extending ribs, it is to be understood that any number or arrangement kof the same or similarly constructed projections may also be used to achieve preferred results in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

In 'a typical application of the present invention, the toy vehicle, as noted, is preferably provided with the friction type motor 9 having its center of gravity eccentrically disposed relative to the longitudinal central axis X of the vehicle, such that 1a greater portion of the Weight on the front axle assembly is distributed over the front right wheel, as viewed in FIG. 3. The vehicle may then be initially set in motion by manually propelling the same in a forward direction, whereupon rotation of the front wheels 5, 6 is transmitted through the gearing system to impart a substantially higher rotational velocity to the fly wheel 22 of the friction motor 9. The momentum of the fly wheel isA transmitted back through the gearing system to maintain and linearly accelerate the vehicle in a forward direction. During such linear acceleration of the vehicle, the eccentrically disposed weight distribution on the front axle assembly retards relative rotational velocity of the front right wheel, whereupon the rear-end portion of the vehicle, sliding upon the ground engaging means 24, is swung out for example, in a clockwise direction under the influence of centrifugal force, as best shown at A of FIG. 3. The vehicle may then proceed forwardly along a generally linear path, as shown by the arrow, until it comes to a stop.

In another` case, the vehicle may make ,a turn of about and proceed back to the child propelling the vehicle. While in still other cases, the vehicle may make turns of about 270 or 360 and proceed into still another turn, as shown at B of FIG. 3. In this regard, it is to be noted that FIG. 3 of the drawings is merely representative of the many varied and unpredictable turns that the toy vehicle will make in normal useage. The extent and the number of turns the toy vehicle will take varies in each case dependent upon the initial acceleration imparted to the vehicle by the child using the same. For example, a high rotational velocity may be imparted to the front wheels by lifting the vehicle from its roading surface and by repeatedly reciprocating the wheels upon such surface. The toy vehicle may then be quickly returned to the reading surface, whereupon, the vehicle may achieve an acceleration sufficiently high to propel it through one, or more turns.

Accordingly, it can be seen that the present invention not only provides a novel and economical toy of simple and rugged construction, but provides a novel toy vehicle which due to its undetined and unpredictable mode of operation affords children many hours of pleasure and entertainment.

I have shown and described what I consider to be the preferred embodiment of my invention, together with suggested forms, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art, that other changes may be made without departing from the scope of my invention as defined by the appended claims.

i claim:

1. A two-wheeled Vehicle, comprising a body simulating in miniature that of a toy automobile, an axle rotatably mounted and adjacent the front end of said body, a pair of oppositely disposed ground-engaging wheels fixed to the ends of said axle, an inertia type motor disposed forwardly of said body and operatively coupled for driving engagement with said axle, said motor including a y Wheel offset relative to the longitudinal axis of said body 4so that the Weight distribution of the vehicle is disposed eccentrcally relative to said axis, the rear end of said body including on its undersurface thereof a pair of spaced ribs extending longitudinally thereof and disposed for engaging the ground so that the vehicle is propelled forwardly in an undefined and unpredictable path upon actuation of said drive motor.

2. A two-wheeled toy vehicle comprising, a body having an axle journaled adjacent the front end thereof, a pair of oppositely disposed ground engaging wheels fixed to the ends of said axle, a motor means disposed eccentrically within said body and operably coupled for driving engagement with said axle, the rear end of said vehicle being disposed for engagement with the ground so that the vehicle is propelled in an undefined and unpredictable path upon actuation of said motor means, the rear end of said vehicle including at least one ground engaging projection extending downwardly from the body of said vehicle, said ground engaging projection comprising a rib extending longitudinally yof the body of said vehicle.

3. A two-wheeled toy vehicle comprising, a body having an axle journaled adjacent the front end thereof, a pair of oppositely disposed ground-engaging Wheels fixed to the ends of said axle, a motor means disposed within said body and operably coupled to said axle such that the weight distribution of the vehicle is disposed eccentrically relative to its longitudinal axis thereof, the rear end of said body including at least one projection member extending from the under surface thereof and disposed for engagement with the ground so that the venicle is propelled along in an undefined and unpredictable path upon actuation of said motor means, said projection member comprising a rib extending longitudinally of the body of said vehicle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNTED STATES PATENTS 1,990,793 2/35 Matsumoto 46-201 2,697,300 12/54 Lohr et al. 46-209 X 2,726,482 12/ 55 Roehrl et al. 46-209 X RCHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

DELBERT B. LOWE, Examiner. 

2. A TWO-WHEELED TOY VEHICLE COMPRISING, A BODY HAVING AN AXLE JOURNALED ADJACENT THE FRONT END THEREOF, A PAIR OF OPPOSITELY DISPOSED GROUND ENGAGING WHEELS FIXED TO THE ENDS OF SAID AXLE, A MOTOR MEANS DISPOSED ECCENTRICALLY WITHIN SAID BODY AND OPERABLE COUPLED FOR DRIVING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID AXLE, THE REAR END OF SAID VEHICLE BEING DISPOSED FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE GROUND SO THAT THE VEHICLE IS PROPELLED IN AN UNDERFINED AND UNPREDICTABLE PATH UPON ACTUATION OF SAID MOTOR MEANS, THE REAR END OF SAID VEHICLE INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE GROUND ENGAGING PROJECTING EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM THE BODY OF SAID VEHICLE, SAID GROUND ENGAGING PROJECTION COMPRISING A RIB EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY OF THE BODY OF SAID VEHICLE. 